Apparatuses and methods for acoustically exciting a face panel of a stowage bin inside a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A media system for a vehicle having a chassis comprises an electroacoustic transducer, integrated into a face panel of a stowage bin inside the vehicle. The stowage bin comprises a mounting structure that is stationary relative to the chassis of the vehicle. An interior of the stowage bin is accessible via the face panel. The face panel is movably coupled to the mounting structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/282,816 filed Sep. 30, 2016, status allowed, theentire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to media systems for vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Flat panel speaker technology is often used to provide audio forenvironments in which a premium is placed on physical space andcomponent weight, such as in an aircraft. However, vibration of surfacesthat have been traditionally utilized for flat panel speaker technologyoften render those surfaces incompatible with the incorporation of othersystems that may be sensitive to vibration.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, apparatuses and methods, intended to address at least theabove-identified concerns, would find utility.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples, which may or may notbe claimed, of the subject matter according to the invention.

One example of the subject matter according to the invention relates toa media system for a vehicle having a chassis. The media systemcomprises an electroacoustic transducer, integrated into a face panel ofa stowage bin inside the vehicle. The stowage bin comprises a mountingstructure that is stationary relative to the chassis of the vehicle. Aninterior of the stowage bin is accessible via the face panel. The facepanel is movably coupled to the mounting structure.

Use of the media system that includes the electroacoustic transducer, asset forth above, enables positioning the electroacoustic transducer inthe face panel of the stowage bin inside a vehicle, such as an airplane.Positioning the electroacoustic transducer in the face panel of thestowage bin enables other surfaces inside the vehicle to be utilized forother functionalities. The face panel is movably coupled to the mountingstructure and provides access to the interior of the stowage bin.

Another example of the subject matter according to the invention relatesto a vehicle, comprising a chassis and a passenger compartment. Thepassenger compartment comprises ceiling panels. The vehicle alsocomprises a stowage bin in the passenger compartment. The stowage bincomprises a mounting structure that is stationary relative to thechassis. The stowage bin also comprises a face panel, movably coupled tothe mounting structure. The stowage bin additionally comprises aninterior, accessible via the face panel. The vehicle further comprises amedia system. The media system comprises a high-definition displaysystem, integrated into the ceiling panels. The media system alsocomprises an audio source, operatively coupled with the high-definitiondisplay system. The media system additionally comprises anelectroacoustic transducer, integrated into the face panel of thestowage bin.

Use of the media system that includes the electroacoustic transducer, asset forth above, in a vehicle, such as an airplane, enables positioningthe electroacoustic transducer in the face panel of the stowage bininside the vehicle. Positioning the electroacoustic transducer the inface panel of the stowage bin enables other surfaces inside the vehicle,such as the ceiling panels of the passenger compartment of the vehicle,to be utilized for other functionalities, such as the high-definitiondisplay system, integrated into the ceiling panels of the passengercompartment.

Yet another example of the subject matter according to the inventionrelates to a method of acoustically exciting a face panel of a stowagebin inside a vehicle. The method comprises exciting the face panel withan electroacoustic transducer, integrated into the face panel of thestowage bin. The stowage bin further comprises a mounting structure thatis stationary relative to a chassis of the vehicle. The stowage bin alsocomprises an interior, accessible via the face panel.

The method enables acoustic excitation of the face panel of the stowagebin via the electroacoustic transducer positioned therein. Implementingthe method enables utilization of other surfaces inside the vehicle forother functionalities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described examples of the present disclosure in generalterms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein like referencecharacters designate the same or similar parts throughout the severalviews, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle having a media system, accordingto one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a media system,according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electroacoustic transducer,according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an electroacoustic transducerintegrated into a face panel of a stowage bin inside vehicle, accordingto one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting structure for a stowage bin,according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stowage bin having a face panel shownin a first position with respect to the mounting structure, according toone or more of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a stowage bin having a face panel shownin a second position with respect to the mounting structure, accordingto one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a stowage bin having anaccelerometer coupled to the electroacoustic transducer and integratedinto a face panel, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a stowage bin having an itemtherein, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cover plate for a stowage bin havinga retainer configured to locate the electroacoustic transducer along thecover plate, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a retainer shown according to anillustrative embodiment and configured to locate the electroacoustictransducer along the cover plate, according to one or more examples ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a retainer shown according to anillustrative embodiment and configured to locate the electroacoustictransducer along the cover plate, according to one or more examples ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cover plate having locally tailoredphysical characteristics, according to one or more examples of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C are a block diagram of a method of utilizing themedia system of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of aircraft production and servicemethodology; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, referred to above, solid lines, if any, connecting variouselements and/or components may represent mechanical, electrical, fluid,optical, electromagnetic and other couplings and/or combinationsthereof. As used herein, “coupled” means associated directly as well asindirectly. For example, a member A may be directly associated with amember B, or may be indirectly associated therewith, e.g., via anothermember C. It will be understood that not all relationships among thevarious disclosed elements are necessarily represented. Accordingly,couplings other than those depicted in the block diagrams may alsoexist. Dashed lines, if any, connecting blocks designating the variouselements and/or components represent couplings similar in function andpurpose to those represented by solid lines; however, couplingsrepresented by the dashed lines may either be selectively provided ormay relate to alternative examples of the present disclosure. Likewise,elements and/or components, if any, represented with dashed lines,indicate alternative examples of the present disclosure. One or moreelements shown in solid and/or dashed lines may be omitted from aparticular example without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Environmental elements, if any, are represented with dottedlines. Virtual imaginary elements may also be shown for clarity. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that some of the features illustratedin FIG. 1 may be combined in various ways without the need to includeother features described in FIG. 1, other drawing figures, and/or theaccompanying disclosure, even though such combination or combinationsare not explicitly illustrated herein. Similarly, additional featuresnot limited to the examples presented, may be combined with some or allof the features shown and described herein.

In FIGS. 15 and 16, referred to above, the blocks may representoperations and/or portions thereof and lines connecting the variousblocks do not imply any particular order or dependency of the operationsor portions thereof. Blocks represented by dashed lines indicatealternative operations and/or portions thereof. Dashed lines, if any,connecting the various blocks represent alternative dependencies of theoperations or portions thereof. It will be understood that not alldependencies among the various disclosed operations are necessarilyrepresented. FIGS. 15 and 16 and the accompanying disclosure describingthe operations of the methods set forth herein should not be interpretedas necessarily determining a sequence in which the operations are to beperformed. Rather, although one illustrative order is indicated, it isto be understood that the sequence of the operations may be modifiedwhen appropriate. Accordingly, certain operations may be performed in adifferent order or simultaneously. Additionally, those skilled in theart will appreciate that not all operations described need be performed.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts, which may bepracticed without some or all of these particulars. In other instances,details of known devices and/or processes have been omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. While some concepts will bedescribed in conjunction with specific examples, it will be understoodthat these examples are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are usedherein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal,positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which theseterms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does notrequire or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbereditem, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

Reference herein to “one example” means that one or more feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example isincluded in at least one implementation. The phrase “one example” invarious places in the specification may or may not be referring to thesame example.

As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element,component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function isindeed capable of performing the specified function without anyalteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specifiedfunction after further modification. In other words, the system,apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware“configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected,created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for thepurpose of performing the specified function. As used herein,“configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus,structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable thesystem, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardwareto perform the specified function without further modification. Forpurposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article,element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to”perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively bedescribed as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” performthat function.

Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may or may not be claimed,of the subject matter according the present disclosure are providedbelow.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 2-7,media system 100 for vehicle 102 having chassis 104 is disclosed. Mediasystem 100 comprises electroacoustic transducer 114, integrated intoface panel 108 of stowage bin 110 inside vehicle 102. Stowage bin 110comprises mounting structure 112 that is stationary relative to chassis104 of vehicle 102. Interior 130 of stowage bin 110 is accessible viaface panel 108. Face panel 108 is movably coupled to mounting structure112. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 1 of the present disclosure.

Use of media system 100 that includes electroacoustic transducer 114, asset forth above, enables positioning electroacoustic transducer 114 inface panel 108 of stowage bin 110 inside vehicle 102, such as anairplane. Positioning electroacoustic transducer 114 in face panel 108of stowage bin 110 enables other surfaces inside vehicle 102 to beutilized for other functionalities. Face panel 108 is movably coupled tomounting structure 112 and provides access to interior 130 of stowagebin 110.

For example, electroacoustic transducer 114 integrated in face panel 108allows surfaces previously utilized for flat-panel speaker technology tobe repurposed for other functions, such as providing a high-definitiondisplay inside vehicle 102. By positioning electroacoustic transducer114 in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110, media system 100 allows facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 to function as a flat-panel speaker whilealso providing access to interior 130 of stowage bin 110.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 6-7, facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 is capable of being moved between,inclusively, a first position relative to mounting structure 112 ofstowage bin 110 and a second position relative to mounting structure112. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 2 of the present disclosure, wherein example 2 also includes thesubject matter according to example 1, above.

Allowing face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 to move between a firstposition relative to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin and secondposition relative to mounting structure 112 allows face panel 108 ofstowage bin 110 to function as a flat-panel speaker while also providingaccess to interior 130 of stowage bin 110. Electroacoustic transducer114 integrated in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 while retaining theitem-securing functionality of face panel 108 of retaining items withinstowage bin 110 when face panel 108 is moved between a first positionrelative to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin and second positionrelative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 8,media system 100 further comprises attenuator 126, operatively coupledto electroacoustic transducer 114. Media system 100 also comprises audiosource 124, operatively coupled to attenuator 126. Media system 100additionally comprises accelerometer 116, integrated into face panel 108of stowage bin 110 and operatively coupled to attenuator 126. Audiosource 124 is configured to provide a first electrical signal toattenuator 126. Attenuator 126 is configured to provide a secondelectrical signal to electroacoustic transducer 114. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 3 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 3 also includes the subject matter accordingto example 2, above.

Use of media systems, such as media system 100 including attenuator 126,allows for a second electrical signal, that may be different from afirst electrical signal provided by audio source 124 to attenuator 126,to be provided to electroacoustic transducer 114. For example, whenaudio source 124 provides a first electrical signal to attenuator 126,attenuator 126 provides a second electrical signal to electroacoustictransducer 114. Use of attenuator 126 allows attenuated electricalsignals, different from the first electrical signal sent from audiosource 124, to drive electroacoustic transducer 114.

Accelerometer 116 is integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin 110and operatively coupled to attenuator 126. When coupled with attenuator126, accelerometer 116 allows attenuated electrical signals to driveelectroacoustic transducer 114 based on output from accelerometer 116 toattenuator 126.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-8, accelerometer 116 is configured to generate output responsive to alocation of face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 between, inclusively, thefirst position of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112 andthe second position of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure112. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 4 of the present disclosure, wherein example 4 also includes thesubject matter according to example 3, above.

By configuring accelerometer 116 to generate output responsive to alocation of face panel 108 of stowage bin 110, attenuator 126 canprovide an electrical signal to electroacoustic transducer 114 based ona location of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112. Whencoupled with attenuator 126, accelerometer 116 allows differentelectrical signals to drive electroacoustic transducer 114 based alocation of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112.

In one illustrative example, accelerometer 116 may be a multiaxisaccelerometer, capable of measuring acceleration in multiple directions.In this manner, accelerometer 116 detects acceleration as a vectorquantity, and can be used to sense orientation of accelerometer 116.When integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin 110, accelerometer116 allows for the determination of a position of face panel 108,including, inclusively, the first position of face panel 108 relative tomounting structure 112 and the second position of face panel 108relative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-8, when face panel 108 is in the first position relative to mountingstructure 112, attenuator 126 provides electroacoustic transducer 114with the second electrical signal that is not attenuated relative to thefirst electrical signal, communicated from audio source 124 toattenuator 126, based on the location of face panel 108 relative tomounting structure 112. When face panel 108 is in the second positionrelative to mounting structure 112, attenuator 126 provideselectroacoustic transducer 114 with the second electrical signal that isattenuated relative to the first electrical signal, communicated fromaudio source 124 to attenuator 126, at least based on the location offace panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 5 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 5 also includes the subject matter accordingto example 4, above.

Use of accelerometer 116 integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin110 allows attenuator 126 to provide different electrical signals basedon position of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112. In oneillustrative example, when face panel 108 is in the first positionrelative to mounting structure 112, attenuator 126 provides anelectrical signal that is not attenuated relative to the firstelectrical signal from audio source 124 based on the location of facepanel 108. In another illustrative example, when face panel 108 is inthe second position relative to mounting structure 112, attenuator 126provides an electrical signal that is attenuated relative to the firstsignal from audio source 124 based on the location of face panel 108. Inthis manner, accelerometer 116 allows media system 100 to provideattenuated audio to vehicle 102 based on a position of face panel 108relative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-8, responsive to face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 being moved withrespect to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin 110 between,exclusively, the first position of face panel 108 relative to mountingstructure 112 and, inclusively, the second position of face panel 108relative to mounting structure 112, the second electrical signal,communicated from attenuator 126 to electroacoustic transducer 114, islinearly attenuated relative to the first electrical signal,communicated from audio source 124 to attenuator 126. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 6 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 6 also includes the subject matter accordingto example 5, above.

In one illustrative example, attenuator 126 linearly attenuates thesecond electrical signal relative to the first electrical signal as facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved between the first position and thesecond position. A linear attenuation of the second electrical signalprovides a gradual adjustment to the attenuation of the electricalsignal as face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved between the firstposition and the second position.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-8, responsive to face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 being moved withrespect to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin 110 between,exclusively, the first position of face panel 108 relative to mountingstructure 112 and, inclusively, the second position of face panel 108relative to mounting structure 112, the second electrical signal,communicated from attenuator 126 to electroacoustic transducer 114, isnon-linearly attenuated relative to the first electrical signal,communicated from audio source 124 to attenuator 126. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 7 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 7 also includes the subject matter accordingto example 5, above.

In one illustrative example, attenuator 126 non-linearly attenuates thesecond electrical signal relative to the first electrical signal as facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved between the first position and thesecond position. A non-linear attenuation of the second electricalsignal provides a gradual adjustment to the attenuation of theelectrical signal as face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved betweenthe first position and the second position.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-8, electroacoustic transducer 114 is configured to excite face panel108 of stowage bin 110 based on the second electrical signal,communicated from attenuator 126 to electroacoustic transducer 114. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 8 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 8 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 5 to 7, above.

Exciting face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 based on the secondelectrical signal provides for selective excitement of face panel 108 byelectroacoustic transducer 114 relative to the electrical signalreceived from attenuator 126. In this manner, a media system, such asmedia system 100, can provide different excitation of face panel 108 ofstowage bin 110 based on the position of face panel 108. For example,electroacoustic transducer 114 can selectively excite face panel 108according to a second electrical signal when face panel 108 is in secondposition relative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 6-9, facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 is configured to retain items 131 withininterior 130 of stowage bin 110 when face panel 108 is in the firstposition. Face panel 108 is configured to provide access to interior 130of stowage bin 110 when face panel 108 is in the second position. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 9 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 9 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 8, above.

When in the first position, face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 isconfigured to retain items 131 within interior 130 of stowage bin 110.When in the second position, face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 isconfigured to provide access to interior 130 of stowage bin 110.Allowing face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 to move between a firstposition relative to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin and secondposition relative to mounting structure 112 allows face panel 108 ofstowage bin 110 to function as a flat-panel speaker while also providingaccess to interior 130 of stowage bin 110. Electroacoustic transducer114 integrated in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 while retaining theitem-securing functionality of face panel 108 of retaining items withinstowage bin 110 when face panel 108 is moved between a first positionrelative to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin and second positionrelative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 6-9,stowage bin 110 further comprises item detector 132, operatively coupledto attenuator 126. Item detector 132 is configured to provide an inputto attenuator 126, indicating whether items 131 are present withininterior 130 of stowage bin 110. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 10 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 10 also includes the subject matter according to example 9,above.

Item detectors, such as item detector 132, may be incorporated intostowage bin 110. Item detector 132 indicates to attenuator 126 whetheritems 131 are present within interior 130 of stowage and 110. Byconfiguring item detector 132 to generate output responsive to thepresence of items 131 which in interior 130 of stowage bin 110,attenuator 126 can provide an electrical signal to electroacoustictransducer 114 based on the presence of items 131 within interior 130 ofstowage bin 110. When coupled with attenuator 126, item detector 132allows different electrical signals to drive electroacoustic transducer114 based the presence of items 131 within interior 130 of stowage bin110.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-9, when items 131 are present within interior 130 of stowage bin 110,the input from item detector 132 causes attenuator 126 to provideelectroacoustic transducer 114 with the second electrical signal that isnot attenuated, at least based on the input from item detector 132 toattenuator 126, relative to the first electrical signal, communicatedfrom audio source 124 to attenuator 126. When items 131 are absent frominterior 130 of stowage bin 110, attenuator 126 provides electroacoustictransducer 114 with the second electrical signal that is attenuated,based on the input from item detector 132 to attenuator 126, relative tothe first electrical signal, communicated from audio source 124 toattenuator 126. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 11 of the present disclosure, wherein example 11also includes the subject matter according to example 10, above.

Use of item detector 132 in stowage bin 110 allows attenuator 126 toprovide different electrical signals based on the presence of items 131within interior 130 of stowage bin 110. In one illustrative example,when items 131 are absent from interior 130 of stowage bin 110,attenuator 126 provides an electrical signal that is attenuated relativeto the first electrical signal from audio source 124 based on thelocation of face panel 108. In another illustrative example, when items131 are present within interior 130 of stowage bin 110, attenuator 126provides an electrical signal that is not attenuated relative to thefirst signal from audio source 124 based on the location of face panel108. In this manner, accelerometer 116 allows media system 100 toprovide attenuated audio to vehicle 102 based on a position of facepanel 108 relative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4,media system 100 further comprises low-pass filter 128, operativelycoupled to accelerometer 116. Low-pass filter 128 is configured toadjust the output of accelerometer 116 based on acceleration of vehicle102. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 12 of the present disclosure, wherein example 12 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 4 to 11, above.

When operatively coupled to accelerometer 116, low-pass filter 128allows media system 100 to adjust the output of accelerometer 116 basedon acceleration of vehicle 102. In this manner, low-pass filter 128prevents inadvertent attenuation or non-attenuation of the firstelectrical signal based due to accelerometer 116 detecting accelerationof vehicle 102.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 3, coverplate 134 is secured to interior surface 135 of face panel 108 ofstowage bin 110. Torque tube 140 is retained between cover plate 134 andface panel 108. Electroacoustic transducer 114 is retained between coverplate 134 and face panel 108. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 13 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 13 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 1 to 12, above.

Torque tube 140 is retained between cover plate 134 and face panel 108,and is provided to secure face panel 108 in first position relative tomounting structure 112. Cover plate 134 is secured to interior surface135 of face panel 108 of stowage bin 110. By retaining electroacoustictransducer 114 between cover plate 134 and face panel 108, existingstructures of stowage bin 110 are used to protect and concealelectroacoustic transducer 114 within face panel 108 without addingadditional parts or weight to vehicle 102.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3, and10-12, cover plate 134 further comprises retainer 138. Retainer 138 isconfigured to locate electroacoustic transducer 114 along cover plate134. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 14 of the present disclosure, wherein example 14 also includesthe subject matter according to example 13, above.

When cover plate 134 includes retainer 138, electroacoustic transducer114 can be easily located along cover plate 134 in a position selectedto provide a desired level of acoustic performance when exciting facepanel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3 and10-12, retainer 138 comprises one of locating post 152, recessed seat154, resilient finger 156, or any combination thereof. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 15 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 15 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 14, above.

When retainer 138 is one of locating post 152, recessed seat 154,resilient finger 156, or any combination thereof, electroacoustictransducer 114 can be easily located along cover plate 134 in a positionselected to provide a desired level of acoustic performance whenexciting face panel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 3,electroacoustic transducer 114 further comprises permanent magnet 142,located relative to cover plate 134 by retainer 138. Additionally,electroacoustic transducer 114 comprises electromagnet 144, connected tointerior surface 135 of face panel 108 and in contact with permanentmagnet 142. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 16 of the present disclosure, wherein example 16 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 14 to 15, above.

In one illustrative example, electroacoustic transducer 114 comprisespermanent magnet 142, located relative to cover plate 134 by retainer138 and electromagnet 144, connected to interior surface 135 of facepanel 108 and in contact with permanent magnet 142. Permanent magnet142, located relative to cover plate 134 and electromagnet 144,connected to interior surface 135 of face panel 108, allowselectroacoustic transducer 114 to provide a desired level of acousticperformance when exciting face panel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 3,electromagnet 144 is a voice coil wire. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 17 of the present disclosure,wherein example 17 also includes the subject matter according to example16, above.

In one illustrative example, electromagnet 144 is a voice coil wire.When electromagnet 144 is a voice coil, electroacoustic transducer 114provides a desired level of acoustic performance when exciting facepanel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 3,electromagnet 144 is connected to interior surface 135 of face panel 108using a flexible adhesive. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 18 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 18 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 16 to 17, above.

When electromagnet 144 is connected to interior surface 135 of facepanel 108 using a flexible adhesive, electroacoustic transducer 114 canbe easily secured to interior surface 135 of face panel 108 in aposition selected to provide a desired level of acoustic performancewhen exciting face panel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3, and13, cover plate 134 further comprises first area 158, proximatelylocated to electroacoustic transducer 114. First area 158 has a firstlocally tailored physical characteristic selected to provide an acousticproperty. Additionally, cover plate 134 comprises second area 160,distally located from electroacoustic transducer 114. A second physicalcharacteristic of second area 160 is different from the first locallytailored physical characteristic of first area 158. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 19 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 19 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 13 to 18, above.

By tailoring characteristics of different areas of cover plate 134, eacharea can be specifically designed to impart desired physical propertiesthat may be more pertinent to that particular area. For example, whencover plate 134 further comprises first area 158 proximately located toelectroacoustic transducer 114, a first physical characteristic of firstarea 158 may be locally tailored to provide an acoustic property.Additionally, second area 160 of cover plate 134, distally located fromelectroacoustic transducer 114, may have a second physicalcharacteristic that different from the first locally tailored physicalcharacteristic of first area 158. For example, first area 158 may have afirst physical characteristic, such as a stiffness, designed to optimizeacoustic performance of electroacoustic transducer 114. Second area 160may have a second physical characteristic, such as a stiffness, designedto optimize impact resistance or durability of cover plate 134.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 9,media system 100 further comprises sound-insulation layer 146,positioned over at least a portion of cover plate 134 to acousticallyisolate electroacoustic transducer 114 from interior 130 of stowage bin110. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 20 of the present disclosure, wherein example 20 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 13 to 19, above.

When sound-insulation layer 146 is positioned over at least a portion ofcover plate 134, electroacoustic transducer 114 can be acousticallyisolated from interior 130 of stowage bin 110 to provide a desired levelof acoustic performance when exciting face panel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 9,sound-insulation layer 146 comprises closed-cell foam material 162. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 21 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 21 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 20, above.

When sound-insulation layer 146 comprises closed-cell foam material 162,electroacoustic transducer 114 can be acoustically isolated frominterior 130 of stowage bin 110 to provide a desired level of acousticperformance when exciting face panel 108. In one illustrative example,closed-cell foam material 162 is a viscoelastic polyurethane foam.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 2, mediasystem 100 further comprises high-definition display system 122,integrated into ceiling panels 120 of passenger compartment 118 ofvehicle 102. High-definition display system 122 is operatively coupledwith audio source 124. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 22 of the present disclosure, wherein example 22also includes the subject matter according to any one of examples 3 to21, above.

Use of media systems, such as media system 100 including electroacoustictransducer 114 as set forth above, allows for positioning ofelectroacoustic transducer 114 in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110inside vehicle 102, such as an airplane. By positioning electroacoustictransducer 114 in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110, media system 100allows other surfaces inside vehicle 102, such as ceiling panels 120 ofpassenger compartment 118 of vehicle 102, to be utilized for otherfunctionalities, such as high-definition display system 122, integratedinto ceiling panels 120 of passenger compartment 118.

For example, electroacoustic transducer 114 integrated in face panel 108allows ceiling panels 120 of passenger compartment 118 of vehicle 102,previously utilized for flat-panel speaker technology, to be repurposedfor other high-definition display system 122, integrated into ceilingpanels 120 of passenger compartment 118. By positioning electroacoustictransducer 114 in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110, media system 100allows face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 to function as a flat-panelspeaker while also allowing the integration of high-definition displaysystem 122 into ceiling panels 120 of passenger compartment 118.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 2-7,vehicle 102 is disclosed. Vehicle 102 comprises chassis 104 andpassenger compartment 118. Passenger compartment 118 comprises ceilingpanels 120. Vehicle 102 additionally comprises stowage bin 110 inpassenger compartment 118. Stowage bin 110 comprises mounting structure112 that is stationary relative to chassis 104. Stowage bin 110 alsocomprises face panel 108, movably coupled to mounting structure 112.Additionally, stowage bin 110 comprises interior 130, accessible viaface panel 108. Vehicle 102 further comprises media system 100. Mediasystem 100 comprises high-definition display system 122, integrated intoceiling panels 120. Media system 100 also comprises audio source 124,operatively coupled with high-definition display system 122. Mediasystem 100 additionally comprises electroacoustic transducer 114,integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin 110. The preceding subjectmatter of this paragraph characterizes example 23 of the presentdisclosure.

Use of media system 100 that includes electroacoustic transducer 114 asset forth above, in vehicle 102, such as an airplane, enablespositioning electroacoustic transducer 114 in face panel 108 of stowagebin 110 inside vehicle 102. Positioning electroacoustic transducer 114in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 enables other surfaces insidevehicle 102, such as ceiling panels 120 of passenger compartment 118 ofvehicle 102, to be utilized for other functionalities, such ashigh-definition display system 122, integrated into ceiling panels 120of passenger compartment 118.

For example, electroacoustic transducer 114 integrated in face panel 108enables ceiling panels 120 of passenger compartment 118 of vehicle 102,previously utilized for flat-panel speaker technology, to be repurposedfor other high-definition display system 122, integrated into ceilingpanels 120 of passenger compartment 118. By positioning electroacoustictransducer 114 in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110, media system 100enables face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 to function as a flat-panelspeaker while also enabling the integration of high-definition displaysystem 122 into ceiling panels 120 of passenger compartment 118.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 6-7, facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 is capable of being moved between,inclusively, a first position relative to mounting structure 112 ofstowage bin 110 and a second position relative to mounting structure112. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 24 of the present disclosure, wherein example 24 also includesthe subject matter according to example 23, above.

Allowing face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 to move between a firstposition relative to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin and secondposition relative to mounting structure 112 allows face panel 108 ofstowage bin 110 to function as a flat-panel speaker while also providingaccess to interior 130 of stowage bin 110. Electroacoustic transducer114 integrated in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 while retaining theitem-securing functionality of face panel 108 of retaining items withinstowage bin 110 when face panel 108 is moved between a first positionrelative to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin and second positionrelative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 8,media system 100 of vehicle 102 further comprises attenuator 126,operatively coupled to electroacoustic transducer 114, and accelerometer116, integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 and operativelycoupled to attenuator 126. Audio source 124 is configured to provide afirst electrical signal to attenuator 126. Attenuator 126 is configuredto provide a second electrical signal to electroacoustic transducer 114.The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 25of the present disclosure, wherein example 25 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 24, above.

Use of media system 100 including attenuator 126, in vehicle 102 allowsfor a second electrical signal, that may be different from a firstelectrical signal provided by audio source 124 to attenuator 126, to beprovided to electroacoustic transducer 114. For example, when audiosource 124 provides a first electrical signal to attenuator 126,attenuator 126 provides a second electrical signal to electroacoustictransducer 114. Use of attenuator 126 allows attenuated electricalsignals, different from the first electrical signal sent from audiosource 124, to drive electroacoustic transducer 114.

Accelerometer 116 is integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin 110and operatively coupled to attenuator 126. When coupled with attenuator126, accelerometer 116 allows attenuated electrical signals to driveelectroacoustic transducer 114 based on output from accelerometer 116 toattenuator 126.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-8, accelerometer 116 is configured to generate output responsive to alocation of face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 between, inclusively, thefirst position of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112 andthe second position of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure112. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 26 of the present disclosure, wherein example 26 also includesthe subject matter according to example 25, above.

By configuring accelerometer 116 to generate output responsive to alocation of face panel 108 of stowage bin 110, attenuator 126 canprovide an electrical signal to electroacoustic transducer 114 based ona location of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112. Whencoupled with attenuator 126, accelerometer 116 allows differentelectrical signals to drive electroacoustic transducer 114 based alocation of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112.

In one illustrative example, accelerometer 116 may be a multiaxisaccelerometer, capable of measuring acceleration in multiple directions.In this manner, accelerometer 116 detects acceleration as a vectorquantity, and can be used to sense orientation of accelerometer 116.When integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin 110, accelerometer116 allows for the determination of a position of face panel 108,including, inclusively, the first position of face panel 108 relative tomounting structure 112 and the second position of face panel 108relative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-8, when face panel 108 is in the first position relative to mountingstructure 112, attenuator 126 provides electroacoustic transducer 114with the second electrical signal that is not attenuated relative to thefirst electrical signal, communicated from audio source 124 toattenuator 126, based on the location of face panel 108 relative tomounting structure 112. When face panel 108 is in the second positionrelative to mounting structure 112, attenuator 126 provideselectroacoustic transducer 114 with the second electrical signal that isattenuated relative to the first electrical signal, communicated fromaudio source 124 to attenuator 126, based on the location of face panel108 relative to mounting structure 112. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 27 of the present disclosure,wherein example 27 also includes the subject matter according to example26, above.

Use of accelerometer 116 integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin110 allows attenuator 126 to provide different electrical signals basedon position of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112. In oneillustrative example, when face panel 108 is in the first positionrelative to mounting structure 112, attenuator 126 provides anelectrical signal that is not attenuated relative to the firstelectrical signal from audio source 124 based on the location of facepanel 108. In another illustrative example, when face panel 108 is inthe second position relative to mounting structure 112, attenuator 126provides an electrical signal that is attenuated relative to the firstsignal from audio source 124 based on the location of face panel 108. Inthis manner, accelerometer 116 allows media system 100 to provideattenuated audio to vehicle 102 based on a position of face panel 108relative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-8, responsive to face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 being moved withrespect to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin 110 between,exclusively, the first position of face panel 108 relative to mountingstructure 112 and, inclusively, the second position of face panel 108relative to mounting structure 112, the second electrical signal,communicated from attenuator 126 to electroacoustic transducer 114, islinearly attenuated relative to the first electrical signal,communicated from audio source 124 to attenuator 126. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 28 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 28 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 26 to 27, above.

In one illustrative example, attenuator 126 linearly attenuates thesecond electrical signal relative to the first electrical signal as facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved between the first position and thesecond position. A linear attenuation of the second electrical signalprovides a gradual adjustment to the attenuation of the electricalsignal as face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved between the firstposition and the second position.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-8, responsive to face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 being moved withrespect to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin 110 between,exclusively, the first position of face panel 108 relative to mountingstructure 112 and, inclusively, the second position of face panel 108relative to mounting structure 112, the second electrical signal,communicated from attenuator 126 to electroacoustic transducer 114, isnon-linearly attenuated relative to the first electrical signal,communicated from audio source 124 to attenuator 126. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 29 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 29 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 26 to 27, above.

In one illustrative example, attenuator 126 non-linearly attenuates thesecond electrical signal relative to the first electrical signal as facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved between the first position and thesecond position. A non-linear attenuation of the second electricalsignal provides a gradual adjustment to the attenuation of theelectrical signal as face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved betweenthe first position and the second position.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-8, electroacoustic transducer 114 is configured to excite face panel108 of stowage bin 110 based on the second electrical signal,communicated from attenuator 126 to electroacoustic transducer 114. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 30 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 30 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 26 to 29, above.

Exciting face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 based on the secondelectrical signal provides for selective excitement of face panel 108 byelectroacoustic transducer 114 relative to the electrical signalreceived from attenuator 126. In this manner, a media system, such asmedia system 100, can provide different excitation of face panel 108 ofstowage bin 110 based on the position of face panel 108. For example,electroacoustic transducer 114 can selectively excite face panel 108according to a second electrical signal when face panel 108 is in secondposition relative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 6-9, facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 is configured to retain items 131 withininterior 130 of stowage bin 110 when face panel 108 is in the firstposition. Face panel 108 is configured to provide access to interior 130of stowage bin 110 when face panel 108 is in the second position. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 31 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 31 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 30, above.

When in the first position, face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 isconfigured to retain items 131 within interior 130 of stowage bin 110.When in the second position, face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 isconfigured to provide access to interior 130 of stowage bin 110.Allowing face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 to move between a firstposition relative to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin and secondposition relative to mounting structure 112 allows face panel 108 ofstowage bin 110 to function as a flat-panel speaker while also providingaccess to interior 130 of stowage bin 110. Electroacoustic transducer114 integrated in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 while retaining theitem-securing functionality of face panel 108 of retaining items withinstowage bin 110 when face panel 108 is moved between a first positionrelative to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin and second positionrelative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 6-9,stowage bin 110 further comprises item detector 132, operatively coupledto attenuator 126. Item detector 132 is configured to provide an inputto attenuator 126, indicating whether items 131 are present withininterior 130 of stowage bin 110. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 32 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 32 also includes the subject matter according to example 31,above.

Item detectors, such as item detector 132, may be incorporated intostowage bin 110. Item detector 132 indicates to attenuator 126 whetheritems 131 are present within interior 130 of stowage and 110. Byconfiguring item detector 132 to generate output responsive to thepresence of items 131 which in interior 130 of stowage bin 110,attenuator 126 can provide an electrical signal to electroacoustictransducer 114 based on the presence of items 131 within interior 130 ofstowage bin 110. When coupled with attenuator 126, item detector 132allows different electrical signals to drive electroacoustic transducer114 based the presence of items 131 within interior 130 of stowage bin110.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4 and6-9, when items 131 are present within interior 130 of stowage bin 110,the input from item detector 132 causes attenuator 126 to provideelectroacoustic transducer 114 with the second electrical signal that isnot attenuated, at least based on the input from item detector 132 toattenuator 126, relative to the first electrical signal, communicatedfrom audio source 124 to attenuator 126. When items 131 are absent frominterior 130 of stowage bin 110, attenuator 126 provides electroacoustictransducer 114 with the second electrical signal that is attenuated,based on the input from item detector 132 to attenuator 126, relative tothe first electrical signal, communicated from audio source 124 toattenuator 126. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 33 of the present disclosure, wherein example 33also includes the subject matter according to example 32, above.

Use of item detector 132 in stowage bin 110 allows attenuator 126 toprovide different electrical signals based on the presence of items 131within interior 130 of stowage bin 110. In one illustrative example,when items 131 are absent from interior 130 of stowage bin 110,attenuator 126 provides an electrical signal that is attenuated relativeto the first electrical signal from audio source 124 based on thelocation of face panel 108. In another illustrative example, when items131 are not present within interior 130 of stowage bin 110, attenuator126 provides an electrical signal that is attenuated relative to thefirst signal from audio source 124 based on the location of face panel108. In this manner, accelerometer 116 allows media system 100 toprovide attenuated audio to vehicle 102 based on a position of facepanel 108 relative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3-4,vehicle 102 further comprises low-pass filter 128, operatively coupledto accelerometer 116. Low-pass filter 128 is configured to adjust theoutput of accelerometer 116 based on acceleration of vehicle 102. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 34 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 34 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 26 to 33, above.

When operatively coupled to accelerometer 116, low-pass filter 128allows media system 100 to adjust the output of accelerometer 116 basedon acceleration of vehicle 102. In this manner, low-pass filter 128prevents inadvertent attenuation or non-attenuation of the firstelectrical signal based due to accelerometer 116 detecting accelerationof vehicle 102.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 3, coverplate 134 is secured to interior surface 135 of face panel 108 ofstowage bin 110. Torque tube 140 is retained between cover plate 134 andface panel 108. Electroacoustic transducer 114 is retained between coverplate 134 and face panel 108. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 35 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 35 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 23 to 34, above.

Torque tube 140 is retained between cover plate 134 and face panel 108,and is provided to secure face panel 108 in first position relative tomounting structure 112. Cover plate 134 is secured to interior surface135 of face panel 108 of stowage bin 110. By retaining electroacoustictransducer 114 between cover plate 134 and face panel 108, existingstructures of stowage bin 110 are used to protect and concealelectroacoustic transducer 114 within face panel 108 without addingadditional parts or weight to vehicle 102.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3, and10-12, cover plate 134 further comprises retainer 138. Retainer 138 isconfigured to locate electroacoustic transducer 114 along cover plate134. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 36 of the present disclosure, wherein example 36 also includesthe subject matter according to example 35, above.

When cover plate 134 includes retainer 138, electroacoustic transducer114 can be easily located along cover plate 134 in a position selectedto provide a desired level of acoustic performance when exciting facepanel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3, and10-12, retainer 138 comprises one of locating post 152, recessed seat154, resilient finger 156, or any combination thereof. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 37 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 37 also includes the subject matteraccording to example 36, above.

When retainer 138 is one of locating post 152, recessed seat 154,resilient finger 156, or any combination thereof, electroacoustictransducer 114 can be easily located along cover plate 134 in a positionselected to provide a desired level of acoustic performance whenexciting face panel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 3,electroacoustic transducer 114 further comprises permanent magnet 142,located relative to cover plate 134 by retainer 138. Additionally,electroacoustic transducer 114 comprises electromagnet 144, connected tointerior surface 135 of face panel 108 and in contact with permanentmagnet 142. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizesexample 38 of the present disclosure, wherein example 38 also includesthe subject matter according to any one of examples 36 to 37, above.

In one illustrative example, electroacoustic transducer 114 comprisespermanent magnet 142, located relative to cover plate 134 by retainer138 and electromagnet 144, connected to interior surface 135 of facepanel 108 and in contact with permanent magnet 142. Permanent magnet142, located relative to cover plate 134 and electromagnet 144,connected to interior surface 135 of face panel 108, allowselectroacoustic transducer 114 to provide a desired level of acousticperformance when exciting face panel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 3,electromagnet 144 is a voice coil wire. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 39 of the present disclosure,wherein example 39 also includes the subject matter according to example38, above.

In one illustrative example, electromagnet 144 is a voice coil wire.When electromagnet 144 is a voice coil, electroacoustic transducer 114provides a desired level of acoustic performance when exciting facepanel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIG. 3,electromagnet 144 is connected to interior surface 135 of face panel 108using a flexible adhesive. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 40 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 40 also includes the subject matter according to any one ofexamples 38 to 39, above.

When electromagnet 144 is connected to interior surface 135 of facepanel 108 using a flexible adhesive, electroacoustic transducer 114 canbe easily secured to interior surface 135 of face panel 108 in aposition selected to provide a desired level of acoustic performancewhen exciting face panel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3, and13, cover plate 134 further comprises first area 158, proximatelylocated to electroacoustic transducer 114. First area 158 has a firstlocally tailored physical characteristic, selected to provide anacoustic property. Additionally, cover plate 134 comprises second area160, distally located from electroacoustic transducer 114. A secondphysical characteristic of second area 160 is different from the firstlocally tailored physical characteristic of first area 158. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 41 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 41 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 35 to 40, above.

By tailoring characteristics of different areas of cover plate 134, eacharea can be specifically designed to impart desired physical propertiesthat may be more pertinent to that particular area. For example, whencover plate 134 further comprises first area 158 proximately located toelectroacoustic transducer 114, a first physical characteristic of firstarea 158 may be locally tailored to provide an acoustic property.Additionally, second area 160 of cover plate 134, distally located fromelectroacoustic transducer 114, may have a second physicalcharacteristic that different from the first locally tailored physicalcharacteristic of first area 158. For example, first area 158 may have afirst physical characteristic, such as a stiffness, designed to optimizeacoustic performance of electroacoustic transducer 114. Second area 160may have a second physical characteristic, such as a stiffness, designedto optimize impact resistance or durability of cover plate 134.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 9,vehicle 102 further comprises sound-insulation layer 146, positionedover at least a portion of cover plate 134 to acoustically isolateelectroacoustic transducer 114 from interior 130 of stowage bin 110. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 42 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 42 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 35 to 41, above.

When sound-insulation layer 146 is positioned over at least a portion ofcover plate 134, electroacoustic transducer 114 can be acousticallyisolated electroacoustic transducer 114 from interior 130 of stowage bin110 to provide a desired level of acoustic performance when excitingface panel 108.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 9,sound-insulation layer 146 comprises closed-cell foam material 162. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 43 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 43 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 42, above.

When sound-insulation layer 146 comprises closed-cell foam material 162,electroacoustic transducer 114 can be acoustically isolatedelectroacoustic transducer 114 from interior 130 of stowage bin 110 toprovide a desired level of acoustic performance when exciting face panel108. In one illustrative example, closed-cell foam material 162 is aviscoelastic polyurethane foam.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14C,method 1400 of acoustically exciting face panel 108 of stowage bin 110inside vehicle 102 is disclosed. Method 1400 comprises (block 1402)exciting face panel 108 with electroacoustic transducer 114, integratedinto face panel 108 of stowage bin 110. Stowage bin 110 furthercomprises mounting structure 112 that is stationary relative to chassis104 of vehicle 102. Stowage bin 110 also comprises interior 130,accessible via face panel 108. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 44 of the present disclosure.

Method 1400 enables acoustic excitation of face panel 108 of stowage bin110 via electroacoustic transducer 114, positioned therein. Implementingmethod 1500 enables utilization of other surfaces inside vehicle 102 forother functionalities. Face panel 108 is movably coupled to mountingstructure 112, allowing for access to interior 130 of stowage bin 110.

For example, electroacoustic transducer 114 integrated in face panel 108allows surfaces previously utilized for flat-panel speaker technology tobe repurposed for other functions, such as providing a high-definitiondisplay inside vehicle 102. By positioning electroacoustic transducer114 in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110, media system 100 allows facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 to function as a flat-panel speaker whilealso providing access to interior 130 of stowage bin 110

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14C,method 1400 further comprises (block 1404) moving face panel 108 ofstowage bin 110 between, inclusively, a first position relative tomounting structure 112 of stowage bin 110 and a second position relativeto mounting structure 112. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 45 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 45 also includes the subject matter according to example 44,above.

When in the first position, face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 isconfigured to retain items 131 within interior 130 of stowage bin 110.When in the second position, face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 isconfigured to provide access to interior 130 of stowage bin 110.Allowing face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 to move between a firstposition relative to mounting structure 112 of stowage bin and secondposition relative to mounting structure 112 allows face panel 108 ofstowage bin 110 to function as a flat-panel speaker while also providingaccess to interior 130 of stowage bin 110. Electroacoustic transducer114 integrated in face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 allows face panel108 to retain the item-securing functionality of stowage bin 110 whenface panel 108 is moved between a first position relative to mountingstructure 112 of stowage bin and second position relative to mountingstructure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14C,method 1400 further comprises (block 1406) providing a first electricalsignal to attenuator 126 from audio source 124, operatively coupled toattenuator 126. Method 1500 also comprises (block 1408) providing asecond electrical signal to electroacoustic transducer 114 fromattenuator 126, operatively coupled to electroacoustic transducer 114.The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 46of the present disclosure, wherein example 46 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 45, above.

Use of media systems, such as media system 100 including attenuator 126,allows for a second electrical signal, that may be different from afirst electrical signal provided by audio source 124 to attenuator 126,to be provided to electroacoustic transducer 114. For example, whenaudio source 124 provides a first electrical signal to attenuator 126,attenuator 126 provides a second electrical signal to electroacoustictransducer 114. Use of attenuator 126 allows attenuated electricalsignals, different from the first electrical signal sent from audiosource 124, to drive electroacoustic transducer 114.

Accelerometer 116 is integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin 110and operatively coupled to attenuator 126. When coupled with attenuator126, accelerometer 116 allows attenuated electrical signals to driveelectroacoustic transducer 114 based on output from accelerometer 116 toattenuator 126.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14C,method 1400 further comprises (block 1410) responsive to a location offace panel 108 between, inclusively, the first position of face panel108 relative to mounting structure 112 and the second position of facepanel 108 relative to mounting structure 112, generating output byaccelerometer 116, integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 andoperatively coupled to attenuator 126. The preceding subject matter ofthis paragraph characterizes example 47 of the present disclosure,wherein example 47 also includes the subject matter according to example46, above.

By configuring accelerometer 116 to generate output responsive to alocation of face panel 108 of stowage bin 110, attenuator 126 canprovide an electrical signal to electroacoustic transducer 114 based ona location of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112. Whencoupled with attenuator 126, accelerometer 116 allows differentelectrical signals to drive electroacoustic transducer 114 based alocation of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112.

In one illustrative example, accelerometer 116 may be a multiaxisaccelerometer, capable of measuring acceleration in multiple directions.In this manner, accelerometer 116 detects acceleration as a vectorquantity, and can be used to sense orientation of accelerometer 116.When integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin 110, accelerometer116 allows for the determination of a position of face panel 108,including, inclusively, the first position of face panel 108 relative tomounting structure 112 and the second position of face panel 108relative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14C,according to method 1400, providing the second electrical signal toelectroacoustic transducer 114 from attenuator 126, operatively coupledto electroacoustic transducer 114 comprises, (block 1412) when facepanel 108 is in the first position relative to mounting structure 112,providing electroacoustic transducer 114 with the second electricalsignal that is not attenuated relative to the first electrical signalbased on the location of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure112. Providing the second electrical signal to electroacoustictransducer 114 from attenuator 126 also comprises, (block 1414) whenface panel 108 is in the second position relative to mounting structure112, providing electroacoustic transducer 114 with the second electricalsignal that is attenuated relative to the first electrical signal basedat least on the location of face panel 108 relative to mountingstructure 112. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 48 of the present disclosure, wherein example 48also includes the subject matter according to example 47, above.

Use of accelerometer 116 integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin110 allows attenuator 126 to provide different electrical signals basedon position of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112. In oneillustrative example, when face panel 108 is in the first positionrelative to mounting structure 112, attenuator 126 provides anelectrical signal that is not attenuated relative to the firstelectrical signal from audio source 124 based on the location of facepanel 108. In another illustrative example, when face panel 108 is inthe second position relative to mounting structure 112, attenuator 126provides an electrical signal that is attenuated relative to the firstsignal from audio source 124 based on the location of face panel 108. Inthis manner, accelerometer 116 allows media system 100 to provideattenuated audio to vehicle 102 based on a position of face panel 108relative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14C,method 1400 further comprises (block 1416) linearly attenuating thesecond electrical signal, communicated from attenuator 126 toelectroacoustic transducer 114, relative to the first electrical signal,communicated from audio source 124 to attenuator 126, as face panel 108of stowage bin 110 is moved with respect to mounting structure 112 ofstowage bin 110 between, exclusively, the first position of face panel108 relative to mounting structure 112 and, inclusively, the secondposition of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 49 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 49 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 48, above.

In one illustrative example, attenuator 126 linearly attenuates thesecond electrical signal relative to the first electrical signal as facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved between the first position and thesecond position. A linear attenuation of the second electrical signalprovides a gradual adjustment to the attenuation of the electricalsignal as face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved between the firstposition and the second position.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14C,method 1400 further comprises (block 1418) non-linearly attenuating thesecond electrical signal, communicated from attenuator 126 toelectroacoustic transducer 114, relative to the first electrical signal,communicated from audio source 124 to attenuator 126, as face panel 108of stowage bin 110 is moved with respect to mounting structure 112 ofstowage bin 110 between, exclusively, the first position of face panel108 relative to mounting structure 112 and, inclusively, the secondposition of face panel 108 relative to mounting structure 112. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 50 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 50 also includes the subjectmatter according to example 48, above.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14C,exciting face panel 108 according to block 1402 of method 1400 furthercomprises (block 1420) using electroacoustic transducer 114 to exciteface panel 108 based on the second electrical signal, communicated fromattenuator 126 to electroacoustic transducer 114. Face panel 108 isconfigured to retain items 131 within interior 130 of stowage bin 110when face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 is in the first position relativeto mounting structure 112. Face panel 108 is configured to provideaccess to interior 130 of stowage bin 110 when face panel 108 is in thesecond position relative to mounting structure 112. The precedingsubject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 51 of the presentdisclosure, wherein example 51 also includes the subject matteraccording to any one of examples 48 to 50, above.

In one illustrative example, attenuator 126 non-linearly attenuates thesecond electrical signal relative to the first electrical signal as facepanel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved between the first position and thesecond position. A non-linear attenuation of the second electricalsignal provides a gradual adjustment to the attenuation of theelectrical signal as face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 is moved betweenthe first position and the second position.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14C,method 1400 further comprises (block 1422) providing an input toattenuator 126 from item detector 132, operatively coupled to attenuator126, indicating whether items 131 are present within interior 130 ofstowage bin 110. The preceding subject matter of this paragraphcharacterizes example 52 of the present disclosure, wherein example 52also includes the subject matter according to example 51, above.

Exciting face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 based on the secondelectrical signal provides for selective excitement of face panel 108 byelectroacoustic transducer 114 relative to the electrical signalreceived from attenuator 126. In this manner, a media system, such asmedia system 100, can provide different excitation of face panel 108 ofstowage bin 110 based on the position of face panel 108. For example,electroacoustic transducer 114 can selectively excite face panel 108according to a second electrical signal when face panel 108 is in secondposition relative to mounting structure 112.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14C,according to method 1400, (block 1424) when items 131 are present withininterior 130 of stowage bin 110, the second electrical signal, notattenuated relative to the first electrical signal based at least inpart on items 131 being present within interior 130 of stowage bin 110,is communicated from attenuator 126 to electroacoustic transducer 114.Additionally, (block 1426) when items 131 are absent from interior 130of stowage bin 110, the second electrical signal, attenuated relative tothe first electrical signal based on items 131 being present withininterior 130 of stowage bin 110, is communicated from attenuator 126 toelectroacoustic transducer 114. The preceding subject matter of thisparagraph characterizes example 53 of the present disclosure, whereinexample 53 also includes the subject matter according to example 52,above.

Item detectors, such as item detector 132, may be incorporated intostowage bin 110. Item detector 132 indicates to attenuator 126 whetheritems 131 are present within interior 130 of stowage and 110. Byconfiguring item detector 132 to generate output responsive to thepresence of items 131 which in interior 130 of stowage bin 110,attenuator 126 can provide an electrical signal to electroacoustictransducer 114 based on the presence of items 131 within interior 130 ofstowage bin 110. When coupled with attenuator 126, item detector 132allows different electrical signals to drive electroacoustic transducer114 based the presence of items 131 within interior 130 of stowage bin110.

Referring generally to FIG. 1 and particularly to, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14C,method 1400 further comprises (block 1428) adjusting the output ofaccelerometer 116 with low-pass filter 128, operatively coupled toaccelerometer 116. Low-pass filter 128 is configured to adjust theoutput of accelerometer 116 based on acceleration of vehicle 102. Thepreceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 54 ofthe present disclosure, wherein example 54 also includes the subjectmatter according to any one of examples 47 to 53, above.

When operatively coupled to accelerometer 116, low-pass filter 128allows media system 100 to adjust the output of accelerometer 116 basedon acceleration of vehicle 102. In this manner, low-pass filter 128prevents inadvertent attenuation or non-attenuation of the firstelectrical signal based due to accelerometer 116 detecting accelerationof vehicle 102.

Examples of the present disclosure may be described in the context ofaircraft manufacturing and service method 1500 as shown in FIG. 15 andaircraft 1600 as shown in FIG. 16. During pre-production, illustrativemethod 1500 may include specification and design block 1502 of aircraft1600 and material procurement block 1504. During production, componentand subassembly manufacturing block 1506 and system integration block1508 of aircraft 1600 may take place. Thereafter, aircraft 1600 may gothrough certification and delivery block 1510 to be placed in serviceblock 1512. While in service, aircraft 1600 may be scheduled for routinemaintenance and service block 1514. Routine maintenance and service mayinclude modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, etc. of one ormore systems of aircraft 1600.

Each of the processes of illustrative method 1500 may be performed orcarried out by a system integrator, a third party, and/or an operatore.g., a customer. For the purposes of this description, a systemintegrator may include, without limitation, any number of aircraftmanufacturers and major-system subcontractors; a third party mayinclude, without limitation, any number of vendors, subcontractors, andsuppliers; and an operator may be an airline, leasing company, militaryentity, service organization, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 16, aircraft 1600 produced by illustrative method 1500of FIG. 15 may include airframe 1602 with a plurality of high-levelsystems 1604 and interior 1606. Examples of high-level systems 1604include one or more of propulsion system 1608, electrical system 1610,hydraulic system 1612, and environmental system 1614. Any number ofother systems may be included. Although an aerospace example is shown,the principles disclosed herein may be applied to other industries, suchas the automotive industry. Accordingly, in addition to aircraft 1600,the principles disclosed herein may apply to other vehicles, e.g., landvehicles, marine vehicles, space vehicles, etc.

Apparatuses and methods shown or described herein may be employed duringany one or more of the stages of the manufacturing and service method1500. For example, components or subassemblies corresponding tocomponent and subassembly manufacturing block 1506 may be fabricated ormanufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies producedwhile aircraft 1600 is in service block 1512. Also, one or more examplesof the apparatuses, methods, or combination thereof may be utilizedduring production stages 1506 and 1508, for example, by substantiallyexpediting assembly of or reducing the cost of aircraft 1600. Similarly,one or more examples of the apparatus or method realizations, or acombination thereof, may be utilized, for example and withoutlimitation, while aircraft 1600 is in in service block 1512 and/orduring maintenance and service block 1514.

Different examples of the apparatuses and methods disclosed hereininclude a variety of components, features, and functionalities. Itshould be understood that the various examples of the apparatuses andmethods disclosed herein may include any of the components, features,and functionalities of any of the other examples of the apparatuses andmethods disclosed herein in any combination, and all of suchpossibilities are intended to be within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Many modifications of examples set forth herein will come to mind to oneskilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having thebenefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not tobe limited to the specific examples illustrated and that modificationsand other examples are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and theassociated drawings describe examples of the present disclosure in thecontext of certain illustrative combinations of elements and/orfunctions, it should be appreciated that different combinations ofelements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementationswithout departing from the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly,parenthetical reference numerals in the appended claims are presentedfor illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scopeof the claimed subject matter to the specific examples provided in thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle comprising: a chassis; a passengercompartment, comprising ceiling panels; a stowage bin in the passengercompartment, the stowage bin comprising: a mounting structure that isstationary relative to the chassis; a face panel, movably coupled to themounting structure; and an interior, accessible via the face panel; anda media system, comprising: a high-definition display system, integratedinto the ceiling panels; an audio source, operatively coupled with thehigh-definition display system; an electroacoustic transducer,integrated into the face panel of the stowage bin; an attenuator,operatively coupled to the electroacoustic transducer; an accelerometer,integrated into the face panel of the stowage bin and operativelycoupled to the attenuator; and wherein: the audio source is configuredto provide a first electrical signal to the attenuator; the attenuatoris configured to provide a second electrical signal to theelectroacoustic transducer; and the face panel of the stowage bin iscapable of being moved between, inclusively, a first position relativeto the mounting structure of the stowage bin and a second positionrelative to the mounting structure.
 2. The vehicle according to claim 1,wherein the accelerometer is configured to generate output responsive toa location of the face panel of the stowage bin between, inclusively,the first position of the face panel relative to the mounting structureand the second position of the face panel relative to the mountingstructure.
 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: when the facepanel is in the first position relative to the mounting structure, theattenuator provides the electroacoustic transducer with the secondelectrical signal that is not attenuated relative to the firstelectrical signal, communicated from the audio source to the attenuator,based on the location of the face panel relative to the mountingstructure; and when the face panel is in the second position relative tothe mounting structure, the attenuator provides the electroacoustictransducer with the second electrical signal that is attenuated relativeto the first electrical signal, communicated from the audio source tothe attenuator, based on the location of the face panel relative to themounting structure.
 4. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein,responsive to the face panel of the stowage bin being moved with respectto the mounting structure of the stowage bin between, exclusively, thefirst position of the face panel relative to the mounting structure and,inclusively, the second position of the face panel relative to themounting structure, the second electrical signal, communicated from theattenuator to the electroacoustic transducer, is linearly attenuatedrelative to the first electrical signal, communicated from the audiosource to the attenuator.
 5. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein,responsive to the face panel of the stowage bin being moved with respectto the mounting structure of the stowage bin between, exclusively, thefirst position of the face panel relative to the mounting structure and,inclusively, the second position of the face panel relative to themounting structure, the second electrical signal, communicated from theattenuator to the electroacoustic transducer, is non-linearly attenuatedrelative to the first electrical signal, communicated from the audiosource to the attenuator.
 6. The vehicle according to claim 2, whereinthe electroacoustic transducer is configured to excite the face panel ofthe stowage bin based on the second electrical signal, communicated fromthe attenuator to the electroacoustic transducer.
 7. The vehicleaccording to claim 6, wherein: the face panel of the stowage bin isconfigured to retain items within the interior of the stowage bin whenthe face panel is in the first position; and the face panel isconfigured to provide access to the interior of the stowage bin when theface panel is in the second position.
 8. The vehicle according to claim7, wherein: the stowage bin further comprises an item detector,operatively coupled to the attenuator; and the item detector isconfigured to provide an input to the attenuator indicating whether theitems are present within the interior of the stowage bin.
 9. The vehicleaccording to claim 8, wherein: when the items are present within theinterior of the stowage bin, the input from the item detector causes theattenuator to provide the electroacoustic transducer with the secondelectrical signal that is not attenuated, at least based on the inputfrom the item detector to the attenuator, relative to the firstelectrical signal, communicated from the audio source to the attenuator;and when the items are absent from the interior of the stowage bin, theattenuator provides the electroacoustic transducer with the secondelectrical signal that is attenuated, based on the input from the itemdetector to the attenuator, relative to the first electrical signal,communicated from the audio source to the attenuator.
 10. The vehicleaccording to claim 2, further comprising a low-pass filter, operativelycoupled to the accelerometer, wherein the low-pass filter is configuredto adjust the output of the accelerometer based on acceleration of thevehicle.
 11. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: a cover plate issecured to an interior surface of the face panel of the stowage bin; atorque tube is retained between the cover plate and the face panel; andthe electroacoustic transducer is retained between the cover plate andthe face panel.
 12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the coverplate further comprises a retainer, configured to locate theelectroacoustic transducer along the cover plate.
 13. The vehicleaccording to claim 12, wherein the retainer comprises one of a locatingpost, a recessed seat, a resilient finger, or any combination thereof.14. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the electroacoustictransducer further comprises: a permanent magnet, located relative thecover plate by the retainer; and an electromagnet, connected to theinterior surface of the face panel and in contact with the permanentmagnet.
 15. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the cover platefurther comprises: a first area, located proximally to theelectroacoustic transducer, wherein the first area has a first locallytailored physical characteristic selected to provide an acousticproperty; and a second area, located distally from the electroacoustictransducer, wherein a second physical characteristic of the second areais different from the first locally tailored physical characteristic ofthe first area.
 16. The vehicle according to claim 11, furthercomprising a sound-insulation layer, positioned over at least a portionof the cover plate to acoustically isolate the electroacoustictransducer from the interior of the stowage bin.
 17. A method ofacoustically exciting a face panel of a stowage bin inside a vehicle,wherein the method comprises: providing a first electrical signal to anattenuator from an audio source, operatively coupled to the attenuator;providing a second electrical signal to an electroacoustic transducer,integrated into the face panel of the stowage bin, from the attenuator,operatively coupled to the electroacoustic transducer; exciting the facepanel with the electroacoustic transducer; responsive to a location ofthe face panel between, inclusively, a first position of the face panelrelative to a mounting structure and a second position of the face panelrelative to the mounting structure, generating output by anaccelerometer, integrated into the face panel of the stowage bin andoperatively coupled to the attenuator; wherein the stowage bin furthercomprises: the mounting structure that is stationary relative to achassis of the vehicle; and an interior, accessible via the face panel.18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: moving theface panel of the stowage bin between, inclusively, the first positionrelative to the mounting structure of the stowage bin and the secondposition relative to the mounting structure.
 19. The method according toclaim 17, wherein providing the second electrical signal to theelectroacoustic transducer from the attenuator, operatively coupled tothe electroacoustic transducer, comprises: when the face panel is in thefirst position relative to the mounting structure, providing theelectroacoustic transducer with the second electrical signal that is notattenuated relative to the first electrical signal based on the locationof the face panel relative to the mounting structure; and when the facepanel is in the second position relative to the mounting structure,providing the electroacoustic transducer with the second electricalsignal that is attenuated relative to the first electrical signal basedat least on the location of the face panel relative to the mountingstructure.
 20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:linearly attenuating the second electrical signal, communicated from theattenuator to the electroacoustic transducer, relative to the firstelectrical signal, communicated from the audio source to the attenuator,as the face panel of the stowage bin is moved with respect to themounting structure of the stowage bin between, exclusively, the firstposition of the face panel relative to the mounting structure and,inclusively, the second position of the face panel relative to themounting structure.
 21. The method according to claim 17, furthercomprising: non-linearly attenuating the second electrical signal,communicated from the attenuator to the electroacoustic transducer,relative to the first electrical signal, communicated from the audiosource to the attenuator, as the face panel of the stowage bin is movedwith respect to the mounting structure of the stowage bin between,exclusively, the first position of the face panel relative to themounting structure and, inclusively, the second position of the facepanel relative to the mounting structure.
 22. The method according toclaim 17, wherein: exciting the face panel further comprises using theelectroacoustic transducer to excite the face panel based on the secondelectrical signal, communicated from the attenuator to theelectroacoustic transducer; the face panel is configured to retain itemswithin the interior of the stowage bin when the face panel of thestowage bin is in the first position relative to the mounting structure;and the face panel is configured to provide access to the interior ofthe stowage bin when the face panel is in the second position relativeto the mounting structure.
 23. The method according to claim 22, furthercomprising providing an input to the attenuator from an item detector,operatively coupled to the attenuator, wherein the input indicateswhether the items are present within the interior of the stowage bin.24. The method according to claim 23, wherein: when the items arepresent within the interior of the stowage bin, the second electricalsignal, attenuated relative to the first electrical signal based atleast in part on the items being present within the interior of thestowage bin, is communicated from the attenuator to the electroacoustictransducer; and when the items are absent from the interior of thestowage bin, the second electrical signal, not attenuated relative tothe first electrical signal based on the items being present within theinterior of the stowage bin, is communicated from the attenuator to theelectroacoustic transducer.
 25. The method according to claim 17,further comprising: adjusting the output of the accelerometer with alow-pass filter, operatively coupled to the accelerometer, based onacceleration of the vehicle.